One of the beautiful shopping arcades in Leeds. I love these venerable old buildings, the world's first indoor shopping malls, I suppose (although any market could be categorized as a "mall" when you think of it). I especially love them when they're all gussied up with holiday decorations. I'm hoping my upcoming trip will include... Continue Reading →

Another British river, but this time from York. I loved York on my first visit ... it's winding cobblestone streets made me feel like I was walking on history every step of the way. I also really enjoyed the remaining segments of the Roman wall around the city and walked all 3 of them. I'm... Continue Reading →

I love this view from the Southbank area of London, looking past the restored OXO building to St. Paul's Cathedral and beyond. This is my favorite part of London, from about Westminster Bridge all the way up to the Tower Bridge. This photo is also at high tide for the Thames. And, oh! Those Clouds... Continue Reading →

While Parliament seems mired in confusion and disarray these days, there's always a glimmer of hope when you see this statue of Winston Churchill outside of that august assembly of buildings. Maybe someday soon a Churchill-like figure will rise to unite the country again and displace the blond-headed bozo currently masquerading as PM. That's enough... Continue Reading →

I'm traveling back to the UK soon (Brexit be damned), so in honor of my favorite fall vacation place, the next few weeks will feature photos from last year's trip to England. I stumbled upon this used bookstore in the Marylebone section of town and just had to snap a photo of its picturesque exterior.... Continue Reading →

Brighton vista. I'm still sorting out my feelings about my visit to Brighton. One one hand, I loved it, it's a funky seaside resort town, but certainly not like my childhood in Atlantic City, NJ. Brighton reminded me more of Haight-Ashbury in San Francisco, less of a boardwalk and amusements-filled beach town. The beach was... Continue Reading →

I call this photo "optimism." While I see kayaks arranged on this little inlet of San Diego Bay on a daily basis, I've never seen them stacked so nicely and so tall. Nor is there usually anyone there watching over them. And while there are 3 out in the Bay already (along with a couple... Continue Reading →

I went to Hay-on-Wye for the books and saw this. The Hay Valley is incredibly green and beautiful. Nestled just beyond this vista, taken from a bridge, is the tiny village, the world's first booktown. Invented in 1962 by visionary (and very eccentric) entrepreneur Richard Booth (who died in late August), the idea of a... Continue Reading →

The solitary loneliness of that one palm tree, holding vigil over the Pacific Ocean. This photo was taken from the Pacific Surfliner train, north of San Diego. There's a great, miles-long stretch where the train tracks run parallel to the ocean, before turning inland into a depressing parade of strip malls and industrial dystopia. But... Continue Reading →

New York state of mind ... yes, choose love, always. While I may currently love London best (see last week's post, #072), I do also love New York City, where this colorful photo was taken a few years back. I'm finally going back to the Big Apple this year after a one-year absence, and I'm... Continue Reading →

Oh, London ... I love you best. This odd futuristic (as in 2001: A Space Odyssey futuristic) tunnel is (if memory serves me right) under St. Pancras station and leads to another Underground stop. I loved the lights and look of it, hence this photo. London is once again on my Fall travel list, providing... Continue Reading →

Sonic Bloom at Seattle Center in ... you guessed it ... Seattle, WA. I just spent a very pleasant weekend there just a few weeks ago and took a similar (if not as good) photo, because I'm a creature of habit, and let's face it ... these things are very impressive. I love Seattle ...... Continue Reading →

The mothership is calling me back. Like Powell's in Portland, OR, The Strand Bookstore in New York City exerts a powerful influence on me, like the moon locked in orbit over the Earth. I missed going to NYC last year, and it's looming on my fall trip horizon, just in time for the thick of... Continue Reading →